Language, Truth and Logic.

Inscribed by the author to his friend, later Labour Party MP and peer. A rare association copy of A.J. Ayer's first, and most important book inscribed by the author 'To Patrick who should appreciate its iconoclasm from AJA with love. Gaudy Night 1936'.

Language, Truth and Logic brought the work of the Vienna Circle, and their innovations in the study of empiricism to the attention of British academic philosophers schooled in sense theory. Looking to the advances made in the physical sciences, they sought to formulate a new branch of philosophy — known as logical positivism — whose conclusions could be deemed as authoritative and meaningful as those of the hard sciences.

The recipient, Patrick Gordon Walker (1907-1980) was one of Ayer's closest friends amongst the governing body of Christ Church, Oxford, where both had been undergraduates and where Ayer remained as a lecturer until 1939. A 'gaudy' is Oxford slang for a college feast, usually a reunion for its alumni.

In his autobiography, Part of My Life, published in 1977 Ayer recalled: 'Patrick... had been brought back to Christ Church as a history tutor by J.C. Masterman who thought that he would have a good influence over the young men. He disappointed J.C. by developing radical views in politics and getting himself adopted as the Labour candidate for Oxford city. In our different ways we were both rebels, and I liked him for his iconoclasm' (Part of My Life, p.146).

Gordon Walker went on to have a successful career in Westminster, serving as MP from Smethick, and later Leyton for nearly 30 years. During his career he served in a number of shadow cabinets, and was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs during Wilson's first ministry. He was made a life peer upon his retirement in 1974, and sat as Lord Gordon-Walker until his death in 1980.

First edition, first impression, presentation copy inscribed by the author; 8vo (20.5 x 14.5 cm); presentation inscription in pen to front free endpaper, slight spotting; publisher's blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, covers slightly marked, minor wear to extremities, very good; 254pp